Refrigerator drain-pan or the like.



R. TAIT, JR.

REFRIGERATOR DRAIN PAN OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, I9I3.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

RICHARD TAIT, JR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ENTERPRISE PLUMBING SUPPLY 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

REFRIGERATOR DRAIN-PAN OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

Application filed May 9. 1913. Serial No. 766,536.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD TAIT, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerator Drain- Pans or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as refrigerator drain pans,- and relates particularly to an improved pan and trap that is applicable for use under conditions which in other types of drain pans would not be convenient, economical or desirable.

The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, convenient, durable, efficient and satisfactory; that may be manufactured at comparatively small cost, and that may be readily positioned on the drain pipe or removed therefrom, as desired.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved drain 1: r, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the san c, tfLixfiIl substantially on line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the same before the pan is locked on the drain pipe.

Referring to the drawings, in which my preferred form of pan is shown, 1 represents the floor through which extends the drain pipe 2, which is adapted to carry off the water drained from the ice box or refrigerator. The pipe 2 usually extends through the walls of the building to the basement or sewer, and is in most cases positioned .during the construction of the building. The same is usually brought up through the floor at the point Where it is expected the ice box or refrigerator will set, and generally close to the side wall, so that it is out of the way and that plenty of drop may be given to it where it extends under the floor. In many cases the architect or contractor has to guess, 0]? proximate about where the drain of the ice box will be, and when the box is purchased the drain may not come anywhere near the designated spot. My preferred form of pan 3 is preferably made oblong in shape, that is, somewhat longer than it is wide, and provided with a flange or lip 3' about the same. At one end is arranged the drip discharge pipe 4:, suitable trap means being preferably provided at the upper end of the pipe 4'. As shown, the lower side of the pan is preferably dropped or extended as at 5 and formed with a pocket 6 about the end of the pipe 4, wlfich pipe may be cast integral with the pan. Arranged about the pipe is a cover 7 preferably having openings or notches 8 through or at theedge of the same to permit the passage of the drip vwater caught by the pan. The cover is proyided with a flange 9 on'the lower side of sufficient depth to extend below the extended end 10 of the pipe, so-that as the pocket 6 is filled with water, a water seal-or trap is formed, which will prevent the escape of gases through the pan into the room. If desired, the cap 7 may be provided with a lug 11 for convenience in removing the same. The upper end of the pipe 2 is preferably threaded on the exterior, and the discharge pipe 4 of a size that will permit its being inserted in the pipe 2. Inasmuch as the two pipes are of proportions to fit together easily, there is more or less of a space 12 between the two, through which gas might escape unless suitable means were provided for preventing the escape of the same. To prevent the escape of the gas, I preferably provide means for tightly closing the opening at the end of pipe :2. As shown, this consists of a washer 14, preferably of rubber or the equivalent, and a friction washer 15, preferably of metal, as for example, brass. These two washers are locked tightly in position by a flanged ring or coupling 16, having a hole extending through the same of sufficient size to receive the pipe 1. The washers 14 and 15 are locked in position by screwing the ring 16 down and compressing them. The washer 15 being of metal, turning the ring 16 down upon it does not crush the rubber, as would be the case if the ring was screwed down directly upon the rubber washer. If desired, the ring may be provided with an inclined or beveled face 17 on the interior, so that as it is screwed down, it tightly compresses the washers, not only against the end of the pipe 2, but also against the pipe 4. Inasmuch as the compression of the washers tends to a certain extent to force them against the pipe, only a slight angle in the bevel is required. In Fig. 3 the washers are shown before the ring 16 is screwed down into position. I have shown the trap supported by frictional engagement of the washers. This is merely for illustration, as the same may be dropped so that the pan rests upon the ring at its extended part 5.

I have shown a leg or lug 20 at the free end of the pan. This leg', however, may be omitted, if desired. The leg 20 is shown provided with an adjustable extension 22, which may be secured in position by a screw 23, or its equivalent. This construction permits the adjustment of the pan to correspond with the height of the drain pipe 2, or changed positions of the pan, as may be desired. It will be noted, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, that the bottom of the pan slopes gradually to the pocket 6, or the trap, so that the water easily runs off. If desired, it may be formed with grooves 19 arranged as shown, or any equivalent. In constructing the building, and arranging the drain pipe 2, as was previously stated, the drain pipe is usually placed in proximity to the wall 21. If the pan is provided with means for directly engagin'g the thread in the" drain pipe, 1t is impossible to position the pan without extending pipes, or using fittings, such as elbows, angles, etc., to make the connection, which fittings, etc., are often causes of stoppage and leakage. If these are not used, it is necessary to set the drain pipe 2 farther away from the Wall, in order that the pan may be screwed into position, and sometimes it is set out too far. With my improved pan it is not necessary to turn or screw the pan into threaded engagement with the drain pipe 2, but merely to set it in the desired position and turn down the ring 16 until the washers 14 and 15, or their equivalents, are tightly compressed, the same maintaining the pan in position, as well as preventing the escape of gases between the pipes. This construction permits the drain pipe 2 to be placed comparatively close to the wall 21, with an allowance for a considerable variance in its position, both as to its distance from the wall and its height or the distance it extends above the floor, so that the pan may be fitted Without additional pipe or fittings cutting into the Wall, or raising the floor and changing the drain device, or the like. It may also be set comparatively drain pipe.

close to the floor, which is not the case where additional piping is required. The pipe 4 may be easily cleaned by simply lifting the cover 7, pushing the wire down into the I have mentioned rubber and brass as employed for the two washers let and 15 respectively, but it is, of course, obvious that equivalent packing may be employed.

-Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as lim iting' myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a device of the kind described, the combination of a vertically extending drain pipe having an exteriorly threaded portion at one end thereof, of a relatively oblong drip pan provided with a discharge pipe, said discharge pipe being of a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the drain.

pipe to facilitate the ready positioning of the drain pipe within the discharge pipe, a

flanged clamping ring provided with an interiorly threaded portion and With a beveled face inward from the threaded portion, said ring being threaded on the exteriorly threaded end of the drain pipe and surrounding the discharge pipe, a ring of packing material arranged between said first mentioned clamping ring and its flange and the end of the drain pipe, said clamp ring being adapt- .ed to tightly compress the ring of packing material against the end of the drain pipe,

and the beveled face of the clamping ring to force the packing ring inwardly against the sides of the drain pipe, whereby a gas tight joint is formed between the'pipes and a vertically sliding adjustable connection provided to support the'drip pan at one end and a leg projecting from the drip pan at the opposite end and carrying an adjustable extension, whereby the pan can be vertically adjusted to any desired height.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD TAIT, J n. Witnesses ROY W. HILL, CHARLES I. CoBB.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

-Washington, D. G." 

